No Thanks!

I recently shared my mild disappointment over the popular card game Cover Your Assets. In contrast, No Thanks! is a game that is surprisingly fun and offers a lot more math practice. In my opinion, it is a solid choice for a quick post-dinner game, particularly if you have a large family. Children need to recognize their numbers up to about 35 and know which number comes before or after any number in that range. If your child is working on those skills, however, I can’t think of a more fun way for them to master counting to 35. They will be motivated without even knowing their are doing math.

No Thanks! Details

Product: No Thanks!
Company: Amigo Games
Website: https://www.amigo.games/product/nothanks/
Recommended Age Range: Box says 8 and up. Any child that recognizes their numbers up to 35 (or is working on that skill) would benefit from this game.
Price Range: ~$13
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Review

I recognize that this is a small thing and doesn’t affect game play, but one of my favorite aspects of this game is all the words written around the cards. It’s like each card has a personality and is trying to entice you to pick it up or warn you against it. Many of the cards read like advertisements and my kids think it’s hilarious. It’s just a delightful touch.

As a family of 6, I am a huge fan of any game that allows for all of us to play, especially one that doesn’t take up much space. This one has fewer cards than a standard deck of playing cards, plus some tokens. In a pinch, you could use something else making this game higly portable. It is also very easy to learn to play. The instruction video produced by the company is just a touch over 3 minutes and we found it sufficient. Game play time is also only about 15 minutes, which is kind of perfect when you want to squeeze a little family fun into a busy schedule.

This game also has a suprising amount of addition and subtraction practice embedded within it. Unlike many games in which you really only have to pay attention to the numbers at the end when you are counting your score, this one requires strategic decisions throughout in which someone who wants to win will be motivated to do some simple on the fly addition and subtraction. Anytime I can get my kids practicing math facts without them complaining is a win in my book.

The last thing I love about this game is that there is not really any “meanness.” There’s no stealing or punishing other players. You make all the decision that affect your own score. There is strategy, so it’s not based just on luck, but you don’t have to hurt other players in order to benefit yourself. Don’t get my wrong…I love a good cutthroat game as much as the next girl, but when you’re playing with children, sometimes it’s just more headache than it’s worth if the game is going to end in tears. This one won’t!